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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-28 Council Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN City Council Meeting Minutes March 28, 2019 - 7:00 pm The Corcoran City Council met on March 28, 2019 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Thomas, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Dejewski, and Councilor Schultz. Excused was Councilor Keefe. Also present were City Administrator Martens, City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise, Public Works Director Mattson, and Director of Public Safety Gottschalk. 1. Call to Order / Roll Call Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Thomas invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Agenda Approval City Administrator Martens noted the addition of Item 10g. Asphalt Patch Trailer. MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Dejewski to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) 4. Commission Representatives Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Jeff Dickman and Parks and Trails Commissioner Val Nybo were in attendance and invited them to speak on items related to their Commissions. 5. Open Forum No persons were present to speak at Open Forum. 6. Presentations/Recognitions a. Commissioner Recognition – Chad Robran Mayor Thomas read aloud Resolution 2019-16 Honoring Outgoing Commissioner Chad Robran. Council recognized Mr. Robran for his efforts including starting and growing Corcoran County Daze. Mayor Thomas presented Mr. Robran a plaque. Mr. Robran thanked staff and the community and noted he will still be involved in the community. b. Police Officer Oath – Steve Cole City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise administered the Police Officer Oath to Steve Cole. Council thanked Officer Cole. c. Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission – Ken Guenthner Ken Guenthner, Elm Creek Watershed Commissioner addressed the Council regarding the City’s stormwater report and commission activities. Mr. Guenthner noted the report outlined the projects from 2018. Public Works Director Mattson noted the report would be sent to the Elm Creek Watershed Commission for review. Mr. Guenthner discussed the commission meetings and how he is working to have processes reviewed. Mr. Guenthner noted with an upcoming retirement the leadership of the Commission may change. Mr. Guenthner noted he is looking at the commission’s revenue and what the City is getting for its taxpayer contribution. Mr. Guenthner discussed project and capital item prioritization. Mr. Guenthner discussed utilizing the City’s two subwatershed assessments to develop and storm water area charge that could be passed on to developers. Council discussed the creation of a fee and developers. Mr. Guenthner noted the watershed is working in greater Corcoran outside of development. Mr. Guenthner discussed the City’s TMDL study and exploring the results as it relates to livestock. Council inquired about the number of homes that were removed and septic systems eliminated. Public Works Director Mattson noted the eleven homes have been since 2014 with Ravinia and subsequent developments. Council inquired about upcoming issues. Mr. Guenthner noted the economic realities of improvements in western Corcoran and that subwatershed assessments will provide a list of potential projects. Council discussed funding and the challenges the city faces with elevations. Mr. Guenthner discussed working with the Commission to restructure the process for projects to ensure projects make the most difference in water quality proportional to funds expended. Council thanked Mr. Guenthner for his service. 7. Consent Agenda a. Draft Minutes of March 14, 2019 Council Meeting b. Financial Claims c. Renumbering Resolution – Resolution 2019-12 Approving Findings of Face for an Ordinance Amendment Related to Bee Keeping d. Temporary Liquor License – Hamel Rodeo MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve the consent agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) 8. Planning Business No planning business was presented 9. Unfinished Business a. City Hall Remodel – Construction Management Assistance City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the application process for the Sourcewell Cooperative and the intent to interview four contractors. Council inquired about feedback from Councilor Keefe. City Administrator Martens noted Councilor Keefe provided recommendations for contractors to interview. Council discussed the information session with the Council and lessening of concerns with the process. Council discussed the project. MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Schultz to authorize staff to become a member of Sourcewell and proceed with interviews for construction management assistance. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) 10. New Business a. Request for Contribution – Burschville School Sign City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the request noting the gambling fund was the recommended funding source. Council discussed the sign and the use of the gambling fund. Bonnie Maue, North Hennepin Pioneer Society, addressed the Council noting the sign will help provide direction to the schoolhouse as it’s now on the National Historic Registry. MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve a funding request of $410 to the North Hennepin Pioneer Society-Burschville School. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) Council discussed asking the County for a reduced rate. Ms. Maue noted the County recommended one location for the signs on County Road 19 and County Road 10. Council discussed additional signage needed. Ms. Maue noted the North Hennepin Pioneer Society is looking into a sign at the site, but no plans have been created. b. Stieg Road Stieg Road Improvements for Bellwether City Administrator Martens presented the report noting staff recommends waiting for development to pave the remaining unpaved portion Stieg Road with the Bellwether project. City Administrator Martens noted due to the significant costs of paving if the pavement project was completed with additional development the City would only be responsible for paving potentially the last .25 miles of the project. Council discussed paving. Council inquired about discussion of development in the area. City Administrator Martens noted the City hasn’t received any information of potential development. Council discussed obtaining feedback from the developer. Public Works Director Mattson noted the traffic would go east from the Bellwether development except for weekend summer traffic going north. Council discussed the potential buyers for the Bellwether property not necessarily commuting. Council discussed financing the road project and the agreement with Pulte for this section was negotiated and is finalized. Public Works Director Mattson noted with the project as proposed Stieg Road will have a trail as well as curb and gutter along the new section and remain gravel with ditches along the unimproved section. Council discussed the costs to residents if it would be paved. City Administrator Martens noted whether the project was completed now or later the amount residents would pay would be limited to the benefit the to property, but the City’s portion would be larger if improvements were completed before additional development was done. Council discussed obtaining traffic counts. Public Works Director Mattson noted traffic counts could be done. Per consensus, Council directed staff to proceed as recommended holding a neighborhood meeting and waiting for additional development to complete further paving. c. Police Command Post Replacement Police Officer Vojacek, Police Reserve Unit Coordinator, presented the report outlining the limited space and challenges to utilize the post during an emergency event. Council discussed funding for the equipment. Police Officer Vojacek provided a history of the reserve fund noting it was started with contributions and has been maintained with the reserve time being charged for events. Council clarified that the ice castle would not have fishing holes and the models are customizable. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted the goal of the reserve unit funding was to be self-sustaining and plans for equipment purchases. Council discussed ability to be pulled by a half ton pick up truck. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted it’s a vision for the fleet if community service officers would be added to the department, allowing them to haul equipment without needing to borrow from public works. Council inquired about the size of the replacement vehicle. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted the current space is limited in gathering spaces, but the design of the replacement would allow for increased gathering space and more efficient use of space overall. MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve a authorize staff to spend up to $27,800 from the Police Reserve fund for the purchase of an Ice Castle Toy Hauler Police Command Post and to trade in the current 2007 Raptor Police Command Post. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) d. Ordinance Amendment – Mandatory Connection Term City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the upcoming deadline for connection and the needed efforts to enforce the connections. Council discussed requiring failing septic systems to connect. City Administrator Martens noted the City doesn’t manage septic systems in the City. Council discussed communications with the property owners. Public Works Director Mattson noted staff has not yet contacted individuals in person, but the property owners were sent letters. Council discussed the Metropolitan Council SAC deferral program. City Administrator Martens noted at the time of the ordinance SAC determinations on downtown properties had not been completed. Council discussed setting a precedence for allowing ordinance amendments. Council discussed mandatory connections and wanting this to be the only extension. MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to direct staff to proceed with an ordinance update to increase the time allowed for connection. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) e. Resolution in Support of LGA Amendment City Administrator Martens presented the report noting per the League of Minnesota Cities the legislation was receiving some broad support at the legislature. Council inquired about if the bill was part of a gas tax discussion. City Administrator Martens stated the bill allocated two percent of Local Government Aid to the 95 cities that do not currently receive Local Government Aid. Council discussed Local Government Aid and budgeting for aid. MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Schultz to adopt Resolution 2019-20 Supporting Amendments to the Local Government Aid Formula. Voting Aye: Thomas, Dejewski, and Schultz Nay: (Motion carried 3:1) f. Resolution Supporting Legislation Authorizing Street Infrastructure Development Fees City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the challenges for those who do not want to develop their property. Council inquired about a creating a city-wide nexus similar to park dedication fees. City Administrator Martens noted the City would create a district or districts. Council discussed completing improvement projects throughout the community. Council discussed tools for funding and inquired about political roadblocks. Council discussed costs of developers. MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to adopt Resolution 2019-22 Supporting Legislation Authorizing Street Infrastructure Development Fees. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) g. Asphalt Patching Trailer Public Works Director Mattson presented the item noting Public Works staff monitor auctions for equipment and found an opportunity to bid on an asphalt patching trailer. Public Works Director Mattson noted the City currently borrows the equipment from other cities, but others typically are using their equipment when the City wants to utilize it. Public Works Director Mattson noted the asphalt patching trailer holds hot mix best used for when melting occurs. Council inquired about the cost of new equipment. Public Works Director Mattson noted the price is approximately $15,000. Public Works Director Mattson noted per the bidding process there is an opportunity for the equipment to be sold lower than the City’s bid. Council inquired about storage. Public Works Director Mattson noted it would be stored outside. MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to authorize staff to place a bid for up to $2,100 for an asphalt patch trailer. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) 11. Staff Reports No staff reports were presented. 12. 2019 Council Schedule City Administrator Martens reviewed the Council schedule. 13. Council Liaison Calendar The Council liaison calendar was not reviewed but was available in the Council Packet. 14. Adjournment MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz to adjourn. Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Schultz (Motion carried 4:0) Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm. ________________________________ Jessica Beise – City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator